Re: Craniectomy Only! NSG's Don't Do Dural Graft!

[Guest guest]

In a message dated 3/10/99 2:07:47 PM Eastern Standard Time, write@...

writes:

<< Want to ask if any of you have been told or heared of this. My

neurosurgeon told me that he and other neurosurgeons don't do the Craniectomy

and dural plasty graft and laminectomy anymore for treatment of Chiari. They

only do the Craniectomy, no cutting into the dural layer. >>

This is starting to become a little more common. The NSG that did 's

decompression started not opening the dura. He only does the craniectomy and

laminectomy. He did go back in and open the dura on two months later -

due to continuing problems. Are you saying that these NSG's aren't doing the

laminectomy either??

Tory ('s mom)

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[Guest guest]

Ann,

I had a occipital craniotomy, no cutting of the dura. This was 3 years

ago. The Dr. said it wasn't needed, they could see that the tonsils

were no longer restricted. I was told that some symptoms might and

should stop, but others would not, but they should not get worse as fast

as they would without the surgery. But, there is always the chance that

others would appear, they just don't know. A good doctor will tell you

the same thing. There are so many variables from person to person with

this, they HONESTLY DO NOT KNOW. The surgery is a good deterrent to new

problems developing and slowing or cession of others. But, it depends

on the person. My doctors are fantastic and very honest with me. They

have said that just because I had the surgery doesn't mean I don't have

Chiari anymore..it doesn't go away. But it does make life interesting

and there are so many things to keep going for...all you have to do is

look around. So many people love you and count on you to be there and

want to be there for you.

write@... wrote:

>

> Hi, Want to ask if any of you have been told or heared of this. My

neurosurgeon told me that he and other neurosurgeons don't do the Craniectomy

and dural plasty graft and laminectomy anymore for treatment of Chiari. They

only do the Craniectomy, no cutting into the dural layer. I have spoken to

another neurosurgeon but he didn't comment on this. He just felt my

neurosurgeon, M. , was a good neurosurgeon and that I was in good hands.

Anyone, know of this neurosurgeon? I question this method because I haven't

seen anyone hear mention it before.

>

> I have all the symptoms of both ACM/Syringomyelia. Desperately, need others

peoples input. Plus, he made me go home and cry yesterday after meeting with

him. He took away my feeling of hope that someone could help me. He basically

told me he could do surgery but feels I would continue to get worse. He kind of

gave me the idea that ACM/Syringomyelia is a condition where there is litt;e

chance of seeing any improvement even with treatment. Kind of just deal with it

attitude. Well, after spending time with him I really felt I just wanted to go

out and find DR. Death...sorry to talk this way...But, three years of suffering

is all I can take. My body can't take much more of this! Sometimes,

> because I work in a hospital I think I have access to drugs that could end my

pain. Like " Vecuronium " -paralyzing drug that stops breathing, Then strong

sedatives for going to sleep like " Sodium-Phenobarbital " . I know this would be

crazy for me to do this, but what is a person to do when what glimmer of hope is

taken away.....Sorry, I probably just really depressed about my sitiuation.

>

> Sincerely, Ann Reitz

>

> I wish sometimes my doctor could see and feel what I am feeling, and no my

frustration and fear of this disease...

>

> ----------------------------------------------------------------------

>

[Guest guest]

Ann,

It is my understanding that they don't always have to cut into the dural layer,

they only do so when the tonsils need to be " released " . Many neurosurgeons

start with the craniectomy, then decided whether anything further is warranted

once they are in.

Wendi--New Mexico

Original Article: /list/chiari/?start=13771

> Hi, Want to ask if any of you have been told or heared of this. My

neurosurgeon told me that he and other neurosurgeons don't do the Craniectomy

and dural plasty graft and laminectomy anymore for treatment of Chiari. They

only do the Craniectomy, no cutting into the dural layer. I have spoken to

another neurosurgeon but he didn't comment on this. He just felt my

neurosurgeon, M. , was a good neurosurgeon and that I was in good hands.

Anyone, know of this neurosurgeon? I question this method because I haven't

seen anyone hear mention it before.

>

> I have all the symptoms of both ACM/Syringomyelia. Desperately, need others

peoples input. Plus, he made me go home and cry yesterday after meeting with

him. He took away my feeling of hope that someone could help me. He basically

told me he could do surgery but feels I would continue to get worse. He kind of

gave me the idea that ACM/Syringomyelia is a condition where there is litt;e

chance of seeing any improvement even with treatment. Kind of just deal with it

attitude. Well, after spending time with him I really felt I just wanted to go

out and find DR. Death...sorry to talk this way...But, three years of suffering

is all I can take. My body can't take much more of this! Sometimes,

> because I work in a hospital I think I have access to drugs that could end my

pain. Like " Vecuronium " -paralyzing drug that stops breathing, Then strong

sedatives for going to sleep like " Sodium-Phenobarbital " . I know this would be

crazy for me to do this, but what is a person to do when what glimmer of hope is

taken away.....Sorry, I probably just really depressed about my sitiuation.

>

> Sincerely, Ann Reitz

>

> I wish sometimes my doctor could see and feel what I am feeling, and no my

frustration and fear of this disease...

>

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[Guest guest]

Ann,

Just so that you know. I have had a Craniectomy AND a Lamenectomy (in my

cervical area). Due to hydrocephalus which probably was caused by the Chiari

Malformation that I have. Subsequently, a syrinx was found down the entire

length of my spine. I don't regret having it because before that my hands were

not moving at all and I was slowly getting worse. After the surgery, I suffered

the expected pain associated with that particular area (talk about a pain in the

neck! hehe), but my hands started to move again. I'm not going to lie to you, I

was scared out of mind when I was told about the surgery! But after careful

consideration and the fact that I had the best neurosurgeon (so I've been told,

and considering the fact that I'm better - I believe it!), I decided to go for

it.

This surgery was done in January 1998. No Dural graft was done because when

they went in, they discovered it wasn't necessary. So to answer your question,

yes, they STILL do dural grafts. I just didn't need one in my case. I'm sorry

you had such a bad experience with your doctor, if you'd like I can give you the

name of my neurosurgeon and I'm sure he could refer you to someone in your area.

I'm located in San Diego, CA. If you'd like more information, just e-mail me.

Please use this e-mail address: Jolee0191@...

Hope I helped a little. Take Care. Jo

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